Llandovery look to speedsters

Llandovery will be hoping backs Matthew Jacobs, Sam Soul and Lee Rees can guide them to success at the Foster's National Sevens on Sunday.

The Drovers produced some entertaining rugby last season as they made it to the play-off semi-final, only to be beaten by regional rivals Llanelli.

Jacobs and Rees though proved a real threat throughout the season and with the latter having chalked up 100 appearances for the club in last Saturday's pre-season defeat to Pontypridd, he will be full of confidence.

Ahead of this weekend's sevens tournament, Rees is one who could make all the difference for Lyndon Lewis' side.

The popular 22-year-old is now in his sixth season with the Drovers, having made one appearance in the 2008/9 season as a 17 year old. He has been a regular since then, appearing 35 times last season.

In total, Rees has scored 22 tries for the Drovers and demonstrated his versatility by appearing at full back, wing, and scrum half.

He has also represented Wales Sevens as well as making a number of appearances for the Scarlets.

Tickets for the Foster's Sevens are on sale at just £10 for adults, £5 for Under 16s and £20 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children). Go to wru.co.uk/nationalsevens to purchase tickets or call 0844 8471881 (Ticketmaster) or 02920 230130 (Ticketline). Personal callers can also purchase tickets from the WRU shop, 8 Westgate Street or from Ticketline, 47 Westgate Street.

Actor and Millennium Stadium Tour Guide Gareth Bale has been performing his one-man play about Wales rugby legend Ray Gravell across Wales. He chats to WRU TV before taking his show to the Edinburgh Festival.

After widespread consultation, the WRU has made major changes to its pathway programme for girls rugby with a spring and summer season being introduced with immediate effect in order to respond to a clear demand to play the game.

The Webb Ellis Cup visited Lampeter on Monday to recognise the fact that the town is celebrating a major milestone as it is believed the first ever game of rugby played in Wales, was in fact played in Lampeter 150 years ago.

We cover the big news the 2017 Champions League Final will be coming to the Millennium Stadium, in this week's Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear from FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford, First Minister Carwyn Jones and WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis. Wales coach Warren Gatland describes their high altitude training in Switzerland, national match officials manager Nigel Whitehouse talks about the community coaches and referees conference, while we have a special feature on Cardiff Blues U18 girls sevens squad preparing for their first Gemau Cymru, with some help from internationals Elinor Snowsill and Philippa Tuttiett.

Cardiff Blues U18 Girls will go into Sunday's Gemau Cymru with an extra spring in their step after Welsh internationals Elinor Snowsill and Philippa Tuttiett offered some last minute tips at a training session earlier this week.

Rob Howley and Josh Lewsey addressed more than 250 community club coaches and referees at the first WRU National Community Conference on the weekend. The volunteers benefitted from coaching masterclasses and workshops in a bid to connect all levels of the rugby pathway in Wales.

The winners of a filmmaking competition organised by the education charity Into Film and the WRU enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of the Millennium Stadium - and a chance to be photographed with the WRU's fire-breathing, rugby loving mascot, Scorch The Dragon, and Welsh international, Jake Ball.

Ebbw Vale coach Jason Strange is proud of his side's effort in against Pontypridd in the Principality Premiership final and as WRU TV's Liz Jones finds out, he's now looking forward to Wales' Under 20 campaign with confidence.

We hear from JPR Williams, Tommy David and all six clubs in SWALEC Finals Day, as well as the first woman to referee a game at the Millennium Stadium, in this week's Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. JPR and David reminisce over the 1979 final, while we hear from Pontypridd, Bridgend, Ystrad Rhondda, Ystradgynlais, Cambrian Welfare and Newcastle Emlyn. Kath Pritchard became the forst Welsh woman to referee a game at the Millennium Stadium - we speak to her and WRU community referee development officer Paul Adams.

All roads lead to Cardiff on Sunday for the SSE SWALEC Finals Day at the Millennium Stadium. Cambrian Welfare tackle Ystradgynlais in the Bowl final, Ystrad Rhondda play Newcastle Emlyn in the Plate final while defending champions Pontypridd face Bridgend in the Cup final.

Foster's 7s champions Llandovery have been drawn against fellow Scarlets regional side Carmarthen Quins in Round One of the third WRU Foster's National 7s, which will take place at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday 30 August.

The Webb Ellis Cup visited Lampeter on Monday to recognise the fact that the town is celebrating a major milestone as it is believed the first ever game of rugby played in Wales, was in fact played in Lampeter 150 years ago.

1

Principality Premiership

Developing the game in Wales and creating a stable and progressive environment for players of the future

2

SWALEC Leagues

Taking the grass roots game out across the length and breadth of the nation, the SWALEC Leagues are the focus of the community rugby in Wales

3

SSE SWALEC Cup

The SSE SWALEC Cup, Plate and Bowl continue the legacy of the WRU Challenge Cup, culminating in a shot at glory at the Millennium Stadium

4

Women's Rugby

Women's Community Rugby embraces both the regional and community club game from Girls' Leagues through to the Women's Premier Division